Hammock-spreader



(No Model.)

W. E. BROCK.,

HAMMOGK SPREADER.

No. 825,048. Patented Aug. 25, 1885.

Figa'.

N PETERS` Phuwlxxnugraphef. wnshingxm D. C4

ltlniiran raras armer @mica XVlLLlAhi lil. BROCK, OF DUNELLEU, NEV JERSEY.

HANIIVIOCK-SPREADER.

SPECIFICATION orming part of Letters Patent No. 325,048, dated August 25, 1835.

A pplieation filed September 2l, 13H.

To @ZZ whom may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. Bitook, of Dunellen, inthe county ofMiddlesex and State oli' New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Hammock-Spreaders, which has not, to my knowledge, been patented in any country, and of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description7 reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which iorm a part of this specification.

rlhis invention relates to animprovement in hammock-spreaders or devices for distending a hammock laterally while suspended, and the object ofthe invention is to provide a strong and durable hammock-spreader which can be very readily placed in position for use, and will keep the suspension-cords firmly in position without any possibility of their lateral displacement, said suspension-cords being separately passed through the spreader about midway at intervals along its entire length, so as to have a solid thickness of wood both below and above them.

Theinvention consists, as to its main feature, in a hammock spreader composed or' two curved bars placed vertically the one above t-he other, the upper bar having slots on its under side to receive the suspension-cords, and said bars being hinged or pivoted at one end to admit of their being separated to receive the said cords and provided with a suitable clasp at their other end ior fastening them together after the hammock has been placed thereon; and the said invention further consistsin cer tain novel constructions and combinations of parts, all as hereinafter particularly deseri bed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l rcpresents a perspective view ot' a hammock with my improvement; Fig. 2, a side view of the spreader dei ached from the hammock 5' Fig. 3, a side view of a pivot or hinge of novel construction forming part of my improvement. Fig. +1: is an end view of said pivot or hinge. Figs. 5 and o are similar views ot the clasp, and Fig. 7 is a modification hereinafter explained.

Similar letters otretcrence indicai e the same parts in all the several figures.

A may represent a hammock ot ordinary construction, suspended by means of cords n, which are brought together in a ring or loop, l), in the usual manuel'.

(No model.)

15 represents my improved ham moeksprcader, one ot' which I ordinarily apply to each end ofthe hammock to expand the same laterally when suspended. The said spreader is composed of two parallel curved bars, c and d, placed vertically over each other. The lower bar, c, is a solid strip of wood, (or other suitable materiah) and the upper bar, d, (also of wood or other suitable materiah) is provided with slots c c c, &c., adapted to receive the suspension-co1dsa,each of which passes through and is held in position by its respective slot.. The two bars are similarly curved, so as to fit to each other when brought together, the lower bar, c, covering the bottoms of the slots c in the upper bar. rlhe said bars are hinged or pivoted together at one end by means of a suitable hinge or pivot, C. This may be of any suitable construction; but I prefer to make it in the form shown. My said hinge or pivot is made from ashort length of wire, which is irst passed through the lower bar, c, then bent upward and passed through the upper bar, d, and then bent downward and twisted over the projecting end f ot' the portion which passes through the lower bar, c. A small staple, g, embraces one side ofthe link thus formed, and is driven into the upper bar, as shown. The end ofthe upper bar is slightly beveled, as at 71, so as to allow the lower bar to turn on the pivot and be separated from theuppcr bar, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, to permit the suspension-cords being inserted into the slots c. By means of this construction the bars may be separated the desired distance, and are prevented t'rom being t'urther separated by reason ol" the end ol' the bar o resting against the bevel 71 on the end of the upper bar.

Alter the several suspension-cords have been inserted into their respective slots. the two bars are brought together and fastened by means ot' the clasp l). Ithis clasp may be. ot' any suitable torm; but fl' have shown a clasp ot' novel and inexpensive construction which is specialA ly adapted to be used iu connection with my improved spreader. '.lhis clasp is made in the form of a loop. pivoted at its base in thelower bar, e, and its looped end adaptedto pass over a shoulder, fz', on the end of the upper bar, (l. and fit into and rest in a groove, if, inthe end of said bar d. It is formed from a short-length ot' wire bent to tit snugly to the sides ot the lOO bars and to pass loosely over the shoulder i and fit into the groove k. One end of the wire passes through the bar c, forming a pivot and the base ofthe loop, and the opposite end of the Wirefafter forming the loop) is twisted over the projecting end Z of the portion f0rming the base or pivot of the loop.

From the above description of my improved spreader it will be obvious that thus constructed it is very strong, firm, and durable, that the suspension-cords are prevented from mov- :ing sidewise, and that the spreader can be very easily and quickly applied to the hammock or disengaged therefrom at pleasure.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the only difference is, that the slots c are made to slant 'f rom the ends toward the center of the spreader,with a view to the more easy insertion of the suspension-cords, and to retain each Within its slot while they are being successively inserted and until the two bars are clasped together.

Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. A hammock-spreader composed of two parallel curved bars placed vertically the one over the other, the upper bar having slots on its under side to receive the suspension-cords, and said bars beinghinged together at one end to admit of their being spread apart, and provided with a suitable clasp at their other` end for connecting them together after the hammock has been placed thereon, as set forth.

2. In combination with the lower solid bar, c, and upper slotted bar, d, provided with the bevel h, the hinge or pivot C, constructed as described, for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination With the lower bar, c, and upper bar, d, provided with the groove 7c and shoulder z', the clasp D, constructed as described, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a ham mock-spreader, the combination of an upper slotted bar, d, a lower solid bar, c, and a pivot-hinge, (i, and clasp D, both con-v structed as described, for the purpose set forth.

XVILLIAM E. BROCK.

Vitnesses:

JoHN S. THORNTON, M. H. TOPPING.

@oieeiien in Leiters Patent No. 325,048.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 325,048, granted August 25, 1885, upon the application of William E. Brook, of Dunellen, New Jersey, for an improvement in Hammoek-Spreadersf7 should have been issued to Hamilton F. Disbrow, of Brooklyn, and Herman G. Disbrow, of New York, New York, as assignees of the said William E. Brook; that this correction has been made in the files and records of the ease in the Patent Ufee, and should be read in the Letters Patent that the same may conform thereto.

Signed, eountersigned, and sealed this 1st day of September, A. D. 1885.

Gr. A. JENKS, Acting Seeetary of the Interior.

[SEAL] Countersigned M. V. MONTGOMERY,

Commissioner of Patents. 

